Guide to Private Schools
Eighteen independent schools across Fairfield and Westchester Counties, from the earliest years of learning through college preparation.
The Early Years | Building the Foundation | The Full Journey
The Upper School Years | Religious Schools | Boarding + Day
The Early Years
Small classrooms and hands-on learning for the youngest students.
LONG RIDGE SCHOOL | Stamford, CT
Age 2–Grade 5
Long Ridge School takes a deliberately different approach by focusing exclusively on the early childhood and elementary years, a time when curiosity, confidence, and a child’s relationship with learning are first taking shape. Small, multi-age classrooms allow teachers to know students closely and tailor instruction to individual strengths, interests, and developmental needs.
At Long Ridge, how a child learns is as important as what they learn. Hands-on, engaging academics encourage children to explore, experiment, ask questions, and make meaningful connections across subjects. The school’s 14-acre wooded North Stamford campus becomes part of the classroom, with trails, athletic fields, wetlands, playgrounds, and an organic garden providing abundant opportunities for outdoor learning.
Best for: Families seeking a small, nurturing school where children benefit from individualized attention, hands-on learning, and time outdoors, and where academic excellence goes hand in hand with protecting the joy of childhood.
SCHOOLHOUSE ACADEMY | Wilton, CT
Elementary & Middle School | Day School
One of the area’s newest independent schools, Schoolhouse Academy opened in Wilton in 2024 with a model built around a simple idea: children should be taught at the level where they are actually learning, rather than being limited by their age or grade. Small classes and personalized learning plans allow students to move ahead where they excel while receiving targeted support in areas where they need it most.
The approach combines focused academics with hands-on, project-based learning, including STEM, arts, design, drama, chess, immersive music, public speaking, Mandarin, and real-world experiences. Rather than filling an entire school day with traditional classroom instruction, Schoolhouse intentionally creates time for exploration, movement and social-emotional development.
Best for: Families looking for an alternative to a one-size-fits-all education and for students who would benefit from small classes, individualized pacing and the ability to be challenged beyond their traditional grade level.
VILLA MARIA SCHOOL | Stamford, CT
Grades K–High School | Day
For children who learn differently, the right environment can completely change their relationship with school. Villa Maria is designed for students with diverse learning profiles, including dyslexia and other language-based learning disorders, ADHD, ASD and auditory processing challenges. With an extraordinary 4:1 student-teacher ratio, children receive highly individualized instruction based on their particular strengths, needs and goals.
Academics emphasize reading, writing and math alongside executive functioning, communication and social-emotional development. All teachers are trained in an Orton-Gillingham-based reading methodology, while speech-language support is integrated throughout the school day. The ultimate goal is independence: many students spend several years at Villa building skills and confidence before successfully transitioning to a more traditional school setting.
Best for: Students who haven’t thrived in a traditional classroom and need highly individualized instruction, specialized learning support and a place where they can rediscover confidence in themselves as learners.
Building The Foundation
Established campuses that carry students from early years into adolescence.
NEW CANAAN COUNTRY SCHOOL | New Canaan, CT
Pre-K–Grade 9 | Day School
For more than a century, New Canaan Country School has been one of the area’s most established independent schools, combining serious academics with a warm, nurturing approach to childhood. Its impressive 85-acre campus creates opportunities for learning well beyond the classroom, with 35 acres of woods and trails, outdoor classrooms, a woodshop and sugar shack, innovation spaces, extensive athletics, and a new community and kitchen garden designed to become another hands-on outdoor classroom.
Country School is academically ambitious without losing the joy of learning, encouraging students to explore, experiment and build confidence along the way. Its deeply connected parent and alumni community is another major draw, creating relationships that extend well beyond a child’s years on campus.
Best for: Families seeking a highly regarded, academically rigorous school with exceptional resources, immersive learning and a nurturing community… and a network that lasts long after graduation.
RIDGEFIELD ACADEMY | Ridgefield, CT
Preschool–Grade 8 | Day School
Set on an impressive 42-acre campus, Ridgefield Academy offers students the resources and opportunities of a larger school within the close-knit environment of a Preschool–Grade 8 community. The expansive grounds—with athletic fields, dedicated arts and performance spaces, and plenty of room for outdoor learning and play—allow students to explore their interests well beyond the traditional classroom.
Small classes allow faculty to know students closely and provide meaningful individual attention. Public speaking, creative problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, athletics and the arts are all important parts of the academic experience. The school also places a strong emphasis on preserving the joy and curiosity of childhood, creating an environment where students are encouraged to participate, take intellectual risks and find their individual voices.
Best for: Families seeking a smaller, nurturing school with serious academics, exceptional resources and individual attention—particularly children who will benefit from developing confidence, independence and a strong sense of self before making the transition to high school.
RIPPOWAM CISQUA SCHOOL | Bedford, NY
Pre-K–Grade 8 | Day School
Set on a beautiful 35-acre campus in Bedford, Rippowam Cisqua School combines the resources of a larger institution with the warmth of an intimate PreK–Grade 8 community. Students explore dedicated science labs, an Innovation Center, art studios, performance spaces, expansive athletic fields, and a Teaching and Learning Commons - designed for collaboration, creativity, and deeper learning.
As a mission-driven independent school, RCS offers a personalized education where students are known, challenged, and supported. Small classes and dedicated faculty foster strong relationships while nurturing academic achievement, social-emotional growth, creativity, and character. Through hands-on learning, public speaking, research, leadership, and real-world problem solving, students develop the confidence to find their voice and put their learning into action.
Above all, RCS is a vibrant community where families are valued partners and children grow into independent thinkers, confident communicators, and engaged leaders.
Best for: Families seeking a personalized PreK–Grade 8 education that combines academic depth, whole-child development, and exceptional resources within a warm, grounded community where every child is known, supported, and inspired to thrive.
The Full Journey
Comprehensive schools spanning early childhood all the way through high school.
BRUNSWICK SCHOOL | Greenwich, CT
Pre-K–Grade 12 | All-Boys | Day School
Established 1902, Brunswick upholds its founder’s commitment to “ably and generously prepare boys for life.” Brunswick is defined and distinguished by the founding principles of “Courage, Honor, Truth.” Set on a 179 acre Greenwich campus with an average class size of 11 with a second 650-acre Vermont campus dedicated to wilderness-education and applied-classroom learning experiences, faculty and staff believe deeply in the tremendous potential of boys and have deliberately and successfully sculpted an educational experience emphasizing rigorous traditional learning, self-discipline, and character development.
In a fast-changing world, Brunswick is increasingly dedicated to building the habits-of-mind that will nourish and fortify students for the rest of their lives. At the same time, Brunswick never ceases to balance that work with a truly forward-thinking re-imagination of lives in a challenging and ever-changing world. Brunswick offers rigorous academics, including advanced science research and required study in computer science, and comprehensive athletics and arts, drama, music, and language programs.
Best for: Families seeking a highly rigorous, traditional all-boys education with exceptional academics and athletics, strong character development, and an impressive network that extends well beyond graduation.
KING SCHOOL | Stamford, CT
Pre-K–Grade 12 | Day School
Set on 34 acres in North Stamford, King School offers a remarkably well-resourced campus, with facilities and opportunities that rival those found at many colleges. Students have extensive resources for academics, research, athletics, arts and innovation, with a major new Campus Center underway that will further expand opportunities for research, collaboration and hands-on learning.
Perhaps King’s greatest strength is its product: the students themselves. The school places a particular emphasis on developing thoughtful, articulate young adults who can look someone in the eye, confidently express an idea and engage seriously with the world around them. Public speaking, research, debate, leadership and independent thinking are cultivated from an early age, producing not simply strong students, but capable young thought leaders who know how to ask good questions, articulate their perspectives and defend their ideas.
Best for: Families seeking serious academics and exceptional resources, but who place equal value on confidence, communication, intellectual curiosity and raising young adults prepared to lead.
GREENWICH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | Greenwich, CT
Nursery–Grade 12 | Day School
Greenwich Country Day School has become one of the area’s most comprehensive independent schools in the region with a college preparatory focus and coeducation for preK through 12th grade. Across its expansive campuses, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities for academics, athletics, arts, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
GCDS has a purposeful mission of academic excellence and character development built through developing critical knowledge and skills as well as the ability to apply what they know to solving complex real-world problems. Its relatively new Upper School has quickly established an impressive college placement record, with recent graduates matriculating at top Universities in the country and a focus on launching ethical global citizens into the world. The school’s investment in a new Upper School performing arts center and a recently announced collaboration with The Juilliard School in NYC reflects its strong commitment to the Arts. Athletics are another strength, supported by extensive facilities and a program that regularly sends student-athletes on to collegiate competition.
Best for: Families seeking a high-powered, well-resourced education that will prepare students for success in higher education and life.
The Upper School Years
College-preparatory schools focused on the high school years.
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL | New Canaan, CT
Grades 5-12 | Day School
SLS pairs rigorous college preparation with a culture that helps students discover and develop their potential. The nonreligious, coeducational day school, located in New Canaan, serves approximately 600 students in grades 5–12, drawing families from more than 40 towns across Fairfield and Westchester Counties.
Academically, small classes encourage discussion and close relationships with teachers, with opportunities for hands-on and collaborative learning across disciplines. Required coursework includes Emerging Technologies and a multi-year leadership studies program. As students progress through the school, they can pursue more than 30 college-level Advanced courses and independent research. Beyond the classroom, students have wide-ranging opportunities in the arts, athletics, clubs, and other activities, with one-to-one mentoring helping them navigate academic and extracurricular choices.
Best for: Students with academic ambition who also value a healthy balance. SLS is particularly compelling for families seeking individual attention, intellectual challenge, and the opportunity to pursue a wide range of interests.
THE HARVEY SCHOOL | Katonah, NY
Grades 6–12 | Day & Five-Day Boarding
Set on a beautiful 125-acre campus in Katonah, The Harvey School combines the opportunities of a larger college-preparatory school with the individual attention of a much smaller community. With approximately 350 students, an average class size of 10 and a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, Harvey is particularly focused on knowing students individually, building confidence and helping them discover their potential.
Students can choose from a rigorous college-preparatory academic program with 70+ electives allowing for the ability to focus in on interest areas like outdoor education, robotics, performing and visual arts, and athletics. An optional five-day boarding program also allows students to live on campus during the week and return home on weekends. 95% of graduates attend one of their top three choice schools for college.
Best for: Families seeking college preparation in a supportive, less pressure-driven environment, particularly students who benefit from small classes, a kind community, close relationships with teachers and the freedom to explore multiple interests.
WINSTON PREPARATORY SCHOOL | Norwalk, CT
Grades 3–12 | Day
Winston Preparatory School offers an individualized, skill-based approach for students with diverse learning profiles, including ADHD, dyslexia and NVLD. Students receive daily one-on-one instruction with a dedicated teacher focused on academic growth, executive functioning, self-advocacy and social communication. Small classes are grouped by learning profile and skill level rather than simply age or grade, allowing teachers to target each student’s particular needs.
Ongoing assessment continually shapes each child’s program, while eight essential skills identified through Winston Prep’s research are woven throughout the curriculum to prepare students for greater independence and long-term success. The results are impressive: Winston reports a 99.7% high-school graduation rate, with more than 80% of graduates enrolling in colleges and universities.
Best for: Students who learn differently and need a highly individualized environment that addresses not just academics, but the underlying skills they need to thrive in school, college and beyond.
Religious Schools
Faith-centered education rooted in Catholic tradition and values.
THE HAWTHORN SCHOOL | Bedford, NY
Pre-K–Grade 8 | Coed, single-gender classrooms | Day | Independent Catholic
The Hawthorn School offers a rigorous classical liberal arts education in a deliberately technology-free environment. Rather than learning through screens, students engage directly with great literature, history, mathematics, science, languages, art and the natural world. Strong writing and critical thinking are central to the curriculum, while small, single-gender classes (average 12 students) allow teachers to know, challenge and mentor each student individually.
Outdoor education is woven into the school day. Students spend significant time exploring Hawthorn’s 10-acre wooded campus, learning in its outdoor classroom and building confidence through unstructured play, physical activity and hands-on discovery. The school’s educational philosophy is rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and seeks to develop the whole child; intellectually, morally, spiritually and physically.
Best for: Families seeking rigorous classical academics, strong values, individual attention, and a childhood shaped by books, conversation and time outdoors…not screens.
JOHN F. KENNEDY CATHOLIC
PREPARATORY SCHOOL | Somers, NY
Grades 9–12 | Catholic Day School
Set on a sprawling 64-acre campus just minutes away in Somers, John F. Kennedy Catholic Preparatory School offers a rigorous college-preparatory education grounded in Catholic faith and values, with particular strengths in academics and athletics.
Kennedy fields 25 varsity sports, competing primarily in the highly competitive Catholic High School Athletic Association, with teams regularly reaching league and state championships and student-athletes going on to compete at the collegiate level. Academically, students can pursue Honors and AP coursework as well as opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. The results are reflected in an impressive college admissions record, with recent graduates earning acceptances to highly selective universities including Georgetown, Cornell, Notre Dame, Boston College, Villanova and the U.S. Naval Academy, among many others.
Best for: Families seeking a traditional, faith-based high school with rigorous academics, a serious athletics program and a proven record of competitive college placement.
MATER SALVATORIS & STELLA MARIS | Stamford, CT
PreK-12 & PreK-8 | Catholic Independent Schools | Single Gender
Sharing one campus, one Catholic foundation, and one mission, Mater Salvatoris and Stella Maris offer families a distinctive education rooted in faith, academic excellence, and formation in virtues.
Mater Salvatoris is coeducational from PK3 through Kindergarten, giving boys and girls a joyful, nurturing beginning together. Starting in 1st grade, boys continue at Stella Maris and girls at Mater Salvatoris, where each school provides an environment thoughtfully designed for their formation and growth. Two schools, one family.
Small classes, personal attention, rigorous academics, prayer, and a vibrant Catholic community help students develop intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Students are challenged not simply to achieve academically, but to grow in virtue, confidence, leadership, friendship, and service.
Best for: Families seeking a Catholic faith-centered education with single-sex small classes and strong academics in a coeducational environment.
CARDINAL KUNG ACADEMY | Stamford, CT
Grades 6–12 | Day | Catholic
For families seeking an academically rigorous education grounded firmly in Catholic faith and tradition, Cardinal Kung Academy offers something increasingly rare. Its classical curriculum centers on the Great Books, integrating literature, history, theology and the arts, while Latin, Socratic discussion and seminar-style classes teach students to read deeply, reason carefully and communicate confidently. Classrooms are intentionally free from phones and digital distractions, putting the focus back on books, ideas and face-to-face conversation.
With approximately 130 students and a remarkable 1:5 teacher-student ratio, Cardinal Kung combines serious academic expectations with unusually personal attention and mentorship. Faith is integral to daily life, with prayer, Mass, service and character formation woven throughout the experience.
Best for: Families seeking a small, deeply Catholic school with rigorous classical academics, close teacher relationships and a refreshingly traditional, distraction-free approach to learning.
Boarding + Day
College-preparatory schools offering both boarding and day options.
CANTERBURY SCHOOL | New Milford, CT
Grades 9–12 + PG | Boarding & Day | Catholic
Just 45 minutes from much of our community, Canterbury offers something unusual: a true New England boarding-school experience remarkably close to home. Students can board or attend as day students on its beautiful 150-acre hilltop campus, gaining the independence and immersive experience of boarding school while remaining close enough for families to attend games, performances, and important moments.
Founded in 1915 in the Catholic tradition, Canterbury is a close-knit college-preparatory school of approximately 330 students that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Its intimate size allows students to be known by faculty while benefiting from the resources and opportunities of a much larger school. The breadth of its facilities and programs is notable, supporting strong academics, innovation, the arts, service, and a wide array of competitive athletics—all giving students meaningful ways to explore their interests, discover new ones, and get involved.
Best for: Families seeking the opportunities and independence of boarding school close to home, or an immersive day-school experience.
THE MASTERS SCHOOL | Dobbs Ferry, NY
Grades 5–12
Set on a 96-acre campus overlooking the Hudson River, The Masters School combines the accessibility of a local day school with a dynamic boarding community, drawing students from six states, 21 countries and 120 local zip codes.
Masters uses the Harkness model, where students gather around a table for discussion-driven classes in which every voice matters. Teachers guide rather than lecture, encouraging students to think critically, listen deeply, challenge assumptions and speak confidently.
Students in the School’s Science Research Program regularly earn honors at prestigious regional and international competitions, while its 21,000-square-foot Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center expands opportunities in engineering, computer science, design thinking and entrepreneurship.
Best for: Families seeking the culture and sophistication of a boarding school with the proximity of a day school; those interested in five-day boarding; and intellectually curious, independent students who want room to explore within a rigorous academic framework.